Improvement in hoop-skirts



` protrude so far as to xgive the appearance of a'panierp attachment.

nted tant MMM- HENRY 4A. HORN, OF NEW YORK, N.

Letters Patent No. 86,340, dated Jcwua/ry 26, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN HOOP-SKIRTS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of thesuns.

To all whom 'it may concern.-

which are caused to assume the panie1'form when adjusted for wear; andconsists in providing such a skirt with elastic. retaining-bands,attached as will be more fully described, and providing it with a front,of a flexible fabric, the hoops of the skirt extending around but aportion of the skirt, and being entirely omitted at the front, forpurposes hereinafter' set forth.

To suit the prevailing fashion, hoop-skirts are made to fit very closelyto the wearer, except at the bustlepoint, where, by various attachments,they are made to To enable vthe wearer to freely use her limbs, I havefound it desirable to omit the hoops at the front, where I provide aexiblc band, or cloth, to which, at its either side, the wires or hoopsofthe skirt (extending around the body and forming the rest of theskirt) are attached.

This arrangement renders the skirt collapsible when under pressure incrowded places, and permits the skirt to'hug the body closely at thefront, without incon-` venience tc the wearer, this latter effect beingnecessary to distend the skirt behind, it being accomplished by means ofelastic bands attached to the front ends of the hoops, and passing aboutthe body.

It may be observed that inelastic tapes may be used, but an elasticattachment is found to be most advantageous.

I am aware that hoopvskirts have been distend'ed in their rear portion,by means of tape or cord-attachments, but such skirts are objectionable,from the fact that the metallic wires are held in contact with the limbsof the wearer, causing much inconvenience in walking, and so muchdiscomfort as to 4preclude their use.

To enable others skilled in the art, to make, ecnstruct, and use myinvention, I will now proceed to describe it in detail.

In figs. l and 2, my improved skirt is represented as having its rearpart, A, made of elastic wire, and other suitable material, in the usualmanner of making skirts, shaped in the panier or other suitable form,

Aas may be desired, but the hoops, or elastic wires, are

made to extend only two-thirds or three-fourths round the circumferenceof the skirt, leaving in front an open space,free of hoops or elasticwire, as shown in the drawing. f

The front part of the skirt consists of a number of parallel bands, ortapes, or cords, a, extending from the bottom nearly to the top of theskirt, and running crosswise, and firmly secured, in any desired manner,to=the sides of the rear or hoop part of the skirt.

At or about one-fourth its length from the top of theskirt, is securedto the sides of the same a pair of elastic bands, B B, arranged andsecured crosswise, as shown inthe dravwng, in such a manner as to passaround and rest on the buttocks of the wearer, with theview of keepingthe hoop-part in the desired position-well back-so as to maintain andinsure a graceful shape to the folds of the upper skirt, and to preventthe hoop-portion coming forward, which has been heretofore experiencedas a great inconvenience in all hoop-skirts.

At or about one-eighth of its length from the top of the skirt issecured another elastic band, B','fast cned to each side, preventing theusual flare on the sides and on the hips, as shown in the drawing.

What I claim as my invention, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

As an article of manufacture, a hoop-skirt formed with the fabric ortape-portion a, and hooped portion A, and provided with elasticattachment, B B b, for adjusting it in position upon the wearer,substantially as shown and described.'

HENRY A. HORN.

Witnesses: y

J A's. B. STEWART, L. HUYcK.

